alabaster

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a fine-grained, usually pale and translucent form of gypsum or calcite used for carving

   The sculptor chose alabaster because light passes softly through the stone.

2. 2
   adj

   made of or resembling alabaster, especially in being smooth, pale, or translucent

   The clear water gave her skin an alabaster appearance.

3. 3
   noun

   a creamy or translucent off-white color

   The walls were painted a warm alabaster rather than a stark white.

From Middle English alabastre and Old French alabastre, from Latin alabaster or alabastrum and Greek alabastos, originally a handleless vessel for perfume. Such vessels were commonly carved from the pale stone, so the container name passed to the material. The Greek word's deeper origin is uncertain.

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